Hi all, just bought my first 2004 Copen and it is a brilliant little car. Just wanted some tips in case anyone has had this issue before regarding the roof. It seems to open and some of the steps work as normal such as the boot opening for the roof to sit inside, but then the roof acting lifting off the top works really slowly and really only properly does it when encouraged by my hand. Same goes for when I then put the roof back up and then the boot goes to close, seems as though it just doesn't have enough power to close it and I have to manually push it. The light and beeps it make seem to be all fine it's more just like there isn't enough force for it to operate properly. Would this be likely to be the actual hydraulic pump that is faulty or something else stopping it working efficiently? Any help would be really appreciated, thank you!
My guess is a faulty pump or maybe, not enough electrical power (engine off, or very weak battery/alternator) Maybe it's even lacking fluid perhaps? The pump lives under the carpet in the boot, check it hasn't leaked and is getting enough power.
It probably wouldn't be the battery as that was just replaced before I bought it but will check the alternator in case and see about the fluid. Do you know how I would check for the fluid level at all? I had a quick look at the pump so maybe I'll try give that a clean up as there was a little water by the jack which was right next to it so maybe that has affected the power of it. Thanks a lot! By the way just watched your video for an oil change this morning and it's inspired me to do the same, was there a specific place you sourced the filter and tool to get it off? Cheers
Part of the pump is plastic and it is partially see through, however the fluid level in there will depend on what position the roof is in and if the roof was used recently. (over time the pressure will drop until it is used again) also there are other hydraulic pistons hiding deep in the car which will contain some fluid. I think the system is supposed to be maintenance free as I can't find any way to do maintenance on it. (I think I should look more into this) As for the oil filter. The original Daihatsu branded filter requires a 68mm which I got from here: Robot Check Other filters may require a 67mm which I got from here: Robot Check and the filter itself can be sourced from here: Element Oil Filter However, this part comes from Japan, so shipping is expensive. A local ex Daihatsu dealer might have some in stock, and if not, they can get one for you. You can find ex Daihatsu dealers here: Daihatsu (as a side note, I don't know the last time that website was updated because some of the dealers listed still advertise they service Daihatsu but others have no mention of Daihatsu on their site.)
Brilliant yeah I'll have a look if I can see the oil level and hopefully I can work something out as it's a pain to have to push the roof up and down every time manually when it's meant to do it but itself, thanks for the help. Thank you as well for the links, very useful, I'll try and see if I can see which type of filter it is so I can avoid having to buy both just in case. I might call a few places and see if they've got a filter kicking around, someone must do! Thanks again!
I assume you’re running the engine when you operate the roof as the battery will manage as long as it’s got a full charge, but at this time of year there’s a very high demand on a very small battery. Also, check the mechanism for general alignment (highlighted by pain scrapes at the frame hinges) and lubricate it with a decent lubricant - I used one containing PTFE which keeps things slick. There are a small number of posts concerning hydraulic fluid loss but not so many that it would be the first port of call.
Yes I am running the engine so I was thinking the battery would have enough power and I thought it might be that in terms of the mechanism was a bit old or out of shape but it works one way but then not the other. For example, the roof goes up into the boot really slowly but then when I put the top back up it is really quick, and the opposite for the rear boot when it lifts up it is quick but when it is closing it is really slow. I'll have a look just in case there is any leakage of liquid or if something is bent out of place but nothing I've seen so far. Thanks for the help!
That’s interesting because the hydraulics are lifting the weight of the roof when it closes, so I’d expect that to be the slower operation. I assume the windows are opening/closing at a similar speed ? One thing to try then is open the roof just past halfway and then turn off the ignition. The roof should slowly fall under its own weight and you can get around and see/listen what’s happening as it does.
No idea on the roof. If you want to check the fluid level, there is a + on the reservoir, the fluid should be on that level. If you are looking for a cheap filter that fits: Oil Filter HERTH+BUSS JAKOPARTS J1316008 Screw-on Filter buy cheap online or Oil Filter BLUE PRINT ADD62108 Screw-on Filter buy cheap online
Yeah that's what I mean mate like its weird that it happens only on certain operations, like if the pump was bad in general I'd expect the whole operation to perform badly. The windows are functioning as normal as well, no hesitation or anything when I push the button. Yeah thanks I might try that and see if I can see the mechanism, maybe something is blocking it when it's doing certain operations. Thank you!
Thanks mate I'll have a look if the oil is up to the plus sign and thanks for the filters I already bought a Daihatsu original one, bit more expensive but then hopefully won't need to take off most of the front end!!
Having followed the feedback, I would suggest that the fault may be the whole roof have been previously pushed to one side twisting the mechanics. When it gets stuck try and have a look from the rear of the car to see it it is going up straight or pushing to one side. If it's twisted then the rams may not have the power to push it up.
